WRITTEN ON A STORMY NIGHT.

O wild and dark! a night hath found me now

Wherein I mingle with that element

Sent madly loose through the wide staring rent

In yon tormented branches! I will bow

A while unto the storm, and thenceforth grow

Into a mighty patience strongly bent

Before the unconquering Power which hither sent

These winds to fight their battles on my brow!—

Again the loud boughs thunder! and the din

Licks up my footfall from the hissing earth!

But I have found a mighty peace within,

And I have risen into a home of mirth!

Wildly I climb above the shaking spires,

Above the sobbing clouds, up through the steady fires!